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3000 and 3100 class railcars
Adelaide Metro 3000 Class railcars going through Womma on a GAW service from Adelaide Railway Station, August 2023
Interior of a refurbished unit
Stock typeDiesel Multiple Unit
In service1987 - present
ManufacturerComeng, Clyde Engineering
Built atDandenong and Somerton, Victoria
ReplacedRedhen railcars
Entered service1987–1996
Refurbished2018
Number built70
Number in service3005-3007, 3009-3011, 3015-3029,3030, 3113-3140
Number retired2 (3101 and 3102; accidental damage)
Formation
  • Single unit (3000)
  • Married pair (3100)
Fleet numbers
  • 3001–3030
  • 3101–3140
Capacity
  • 100 (3000)
  • 110 (3100)
Operators
Depots
  • Dry Creek
  • Belair
Lines served
Specifications
Car length25.77 m (84 ft 7 in)
Width3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
Height4.27 m (14 ft 0 in)
Maximum speed
  • 130 km/h (81 mph) (design)
  • 90 km/h (56 mph) (service)
Weight
  • 48 t (47 long tons; 53 short tons) (3000)
  • 46 t (45 long tons; 51 short tons) (3100)
Traction systemAfter repowering: ABB BORDLINE CC400 DE IGBT power converter[1]
Prime mover(s)
Traction motors2 × 130 kW (170 hp) ABB/Stromberg HXR315SC4B7E / HXUR/E632G2B7
Power output
  • 780 kW (1,050 hp) (3000)
  • 1,560 kW (2,092 hp) (3100)
TransmissionDiesel-electric
UIC classification
  • (1A)2′ (3000)
  • (1A)2′+2′(A1) (3100)
Braking system(s)Knorr-Bremse
Coupling systemScharfenberg
Track gauge1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)

The 3000 class and 3100 class are a class of diesel railcars that operate on the Adelaide rail network. Built by Comeng and Clyde Engineering between 1987 and 1996, they entered service under the State Transport Authority before later being operated by TransAdelaide and Adelaide Metro. Trains are typically coupled as multiple units, though the 3000 class are also able to run as single units when needed. In total, 70 railcars were built and are expected to be retired between 2030 and 2032. [2]

The fleet underwent 3 major refurbishments. The first, an exterior refurbishment, was carried out between 2000 and 2010. The second, a life extension project was completed between 2018 and 2020, aimed to extend the trains' lifespan. A third and final refurbishment, a hybrid conversion is being carried out on 50 of the 70 railcars to reduce fuel consumption on the fleet.[3]

History

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3025 in its original State Transport Authority livery at Goodwood station in May 2005

In March 1985, the State Transport Authority (STA) awarded a tender for 20 diesel railcars (eight 3000 class units with a cab at each end and twelve 3100 class with a cab at one end only) to Comeng's Dandenong rolling stock factory.[4][5][6] The design was based on the stainless steel shell of the Comeng electric train then in production for Melbourne's Public Transport Corporation, but 2.3 metres (7 ft 7 in) longer and with only two doors per side. Because of a contractual requirement to maximise local content, the fit-out was conducted at Comeng's Dry Creek facility. The first commenced testing in May 1987, entering service in November 1987.[7][8] The eight 3000s were built first with the first 3100 class completed in mid-1988.[9][10][11] The last entered service in December 1988.[12]

In the original contract, there was an option to order 76 further examples. However, Comeng came back to the STA with a significantly higher price, so the work was put out to tender, and a contract for 50 was awarded to Clyde Engineering in November 1989.[13] Comeng concluded a deal to sell the 3000 class design and tooling. However by the time construction commenced, Comeng had sold its Dandenong plant to ABB, who backed away from an agreement to hand over the jigs and tooling, so they were built between 1992 and 1996 by Clyde Engineering's Martin & King factory in Somerton, Victoria.[11][14][15]

All were delivered with unpainted stainless steel offset by blue and orange stripes. In April 2002, the first was repainted by Bluebird Rail Operations in Adelaide Metro's yellow, blue and red.[16]

Originally they operated on all Adelaide suburban lines, however since the electrification of the Seaford and Flinders lines in 2014 and Gawler line in 2022, they have been confined primarily to the Belair, Grange, and Outer Harbor lines along with the newly opened Port Dock line. They have on occasion ventured beyond the Adelaide metropolitan area, operating special services to Nuriootpa on the Barossa Valley line, Riverton on the Roseworthy-Peterborough line and Balaklava on the Hamley Bridge–Gladstone line. These tours stopped by the mid 2000s.[17][18][19]

Mechanics

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3019 repainted in Adelaide Metro's yellow blue and red livery, as part of the fleet's first refurbishment

Only one of bogies is powered per car, originally with 2 Stromberg Electric Motors, which have now been replaced since the 2018 life extension.

The 3000 class bodies were built by Comeng and feature airbag secondary suspension. All 3000 class railcars are fitted with electro-magnetic track brakes, which are comparatively rare on trains, though they are commonly found on trams. These are operated separately from the normal mechanical and dynamic braking.

Trains are equipped with automatic Scharfenberg couplers which are operated from the driver's cab. Coupling operations are sometimes performed at Adelaide station, requiring an extra staff member to flag the driver as well as to connect the safety chains. This feature allows sets of up to six cars to be formed.

Two headlights are mounted at the top of the car in the centre on driver's cab ends. There are no marker lights at the front; however, there are red marker lights for the rear located on the upper corners. There are metal steps up the side of the car to each door, but they are not used by passengers, however in emergency situations, they may be used to allow passengers to disembark from the train. They are illuminated by lights at night. All cars are air-conditioned.

During May 2020, 50 out of 70 railcars were taken out of service on the Gawler, Belair and Outer Harbor rail lines due to a significant mechanical fault regarding the servicing of the cars. These trains were out of service for 2 weeks whilst servicing on the turbochargers and other defective parts were repaired/replaced, therefore, a decision was made by DPTI to shift all affected train services to a weekend timetable. The Seaford and Flinders lines were not affected due to electrification having been completed on those lines in early 2014. During these critical repairs, the Grange line was closed.

By 2024, 45 of the 70 railcars are in process of being converted into Hybrid trains with a new ABB traction battery technology to reduce noise and emissions to improve the travel experience.[20]

The horn of a 3000 class railcar

Refurbishment

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3103/3104 in their current refurbished guise

In the 2008/09 State Budget, it was announced that five out of six of Adelaide's railway lines were to be electrified commencing with the Noarlunga and Gawler lines. This was to have resulted in 58 of the 3000/3100 class railcars being converted to electric operation with the remaining 12 to be retained as diesels for operation on the Belair line.[21][22][23] However with the electrification project scaled back and the additional orders of the 4000 class trains, the conversions were cancelled.[24]

Commencing in April 2018, all 3000/3100 series railcars began a life extension program which included new Mercedes-Benz engines, upgraded bogies, enhanced upholstery and a repaint into a red and blue livery similar to the 4000 class units.[25] The modernised livery features silver borders around the headlights and tail lights to allow for better illumination throughout light hours.[26]

Starting from May 2021, Adelaide Metro began to gradually refurbish the interior of 45 of its 3000/3100 class railcars.

The 2021 refurbishment includes:

  • brighter lights.
  • new wheelchair spaces to provide room for two wheelchairs.
  • new floor materials designed for better graffiti cleaning, removal of existing graffiti, and deep interior cleaning.
  • creation of five new "bike-friendly" railcars with realigned seating, to be used primarily on the Belair Line which is frequented by cyclists.[27]
3026 after receiving the hybrid upgrade with the green branding.

In addition to the interior refurbishment, 45 of Adelaide Metro's 70 railcars are expected to be fitted with ABB hybrid battery technology by mid-2024. This includes the installation of a new energy storage and recovery system, which stores kinetic energy in a battery during braking.[28] This will reduce fuel consumption on the 3000/3100 class fleet, and reduce emissions, particularly at the enclosed Adelaide railway station, where 3000 class railcars are often left idling with their engine running when not in service.[29] Adelaide Metro have previously indicated that following the completion of this project, and once 3000/3100 class railcars are no longer required on the Gawler line, non-upgraded railcars in the fleet will be retired, as only 45 railcars will be required for service. [30] As of 2024, only 3 Comeng built units remain in service as the Clyde ones are being progressively converted to Hybrid.

Fleet status

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Table showing the status of the fleet, this may not reflect recent changes.[31]

Railcar Status
3001 Seaford Railcar Depot Shunter
3002 Retired
3003 Retired
3004 Retired
3005 Operational
3006 Operational
3007 Operational
3008 Retired
3009 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3010 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3011 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3012 Operational, Hybrid-Converted
3013 Operational
3014 Operational, Bike Friendly Railcar, Hybrid-converted
3015 Operational
3016 Operational
3017 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3018 Operational, Bike Friendly Railcar
3019 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3020 Operational
3021 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3022 Operational, Bike Friendly Railcar, Hybrid-converted
3023 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3024 Operational
3025 Operational, Bike Friendly Railcar
3026 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3027 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3028 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3029 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3030 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3101 Damaged in an accident at Grange, Retired
3102 Damaged in an accident at Grange, Retired
3103 Retired
3104 Retired
3105 Retired
3106 Retired
3107 Retired
3108 Retired
3109 Retired
3110 Retired
3111 Retired
3112 Retired
3113 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3114 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3115 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3116 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3117 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3118 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3119 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3120 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3121 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3122 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3123 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3124 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3125 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3126 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3127 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3128 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3129 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3130 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3131 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3132 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3133 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3134 Operational, Hybrid-converted, Bike Friendly Railcar
3135 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3136 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3137 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3138 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3139 Operational, Hybrid-converted
3140 Operational, Hybrid-converted

References

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  1. ^ "Retrofit traction solutions" (PDF). ABB. 19 June 2018. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  2. ^ Adelaide diesel trains approaching end of the line
  3. ^ "Go Green". Adelaide Metro. 29 October 2024. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Here & There" Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 573 July 1985 page 53
  5. ^ "New Railcars for STA" Catch Point issue 48 July 1985 page 13
  6. ^ "South Australia" Railway Digest July 1985 page 215
  7. ^ "New STA Railcars" Catch Point issue 60 July 1987 page 14
  8. ^ New Railcar in Service Among Ourselves issue 242 July 1987 pages 2, 3, 17
  9. ^ "New STASA Suburban DEMUs Rail Australia August 1987
  10. ^ "South Australia's STA 3000 & 3100 Class Railcars" Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 608 June 2008 pages 122-128
  11. ^ a b Dunn, John (2012). Comeng: A History of Commonwealth Engineering Volume 5: 1985-2012. Kenthurst: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 77–86. ISBN 9781922013521.
  12. ^ 3000 Order Complete Transit Australia February 1989 page 37
  13. ^ New Railcars The Recorder November 1989 page 20
  14. ^ "Here & There" Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 639 January 1991 page 22
  15. ^ "The Adelaide 3000 class railcars" Railway Digest March 2006 pages 20-23
  16. ^ "Here & There" Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 777 July 2002 page 278
  17. ^ "Shirley Bassey in the Valley" Catch Point issue 119 May 1997 page 10
  18. ^ "General Operations - ARG Broad Gauge Lines" Catch Point issue 161 May 2004 page 28
  19. ^ Railcars crossing the River Light Trans Adelaide railcars 3139,3140 cross the Light River Bridge on the approach to Hamley Bridge in April 1999 while running a charter train to Balaklava 5 August 2024
  20. ^ Converting Adelaide Metro into Australia’s first-ever diesel-hybrid train fleet
  21. ^ "Adelaide rail electrification and tram extension" Railway Digest August 2008 page 18
  22. ^ More standing room on trains Adelaide Advertiser 24 September 2008
  23. ^ Budget 2008/09 Archived 4 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Government of South Australia
  24. ^ South Australia Budget sees Metro rail projects canned Rail Express 6 June 2012
  25. ^ DPTI news Catch Point issue 244 March 2018 page 4
  26. ^ 3000 Series Railcar Upgrade Catch Point issue 245 May 2018 pages 12/13
  27. ^ Metro, Adelaide (5 November 2022). "Bike-friendly carriages take to the Belair line". Adelaide Metro. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  28. ^ Australia, Premier of South (31 July 2023). "SA accelerates towards zero-emission public transport with train and bus trials". Premier of South Australia. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  29. ^ "Department for Infrastructure and Transport in South Australia selects ABB for Australia's first diesel-hybrid train fleet conversion". ABB. 29 August 2022.
  30. ^ Metro, Adelaide (23 September 2021). "Cleaner, greener public transport". Adelaide Metro. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  31. ^ List of the vehicles Australian Railways, Adelaide Metro

Further reading

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Media related to 3000 class railcars at Wikimedia Commons

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